Meningioma

Doctors are working to learn more about meningioma, ways to prevent it, how to best treat it, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with this disease. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. Always talk with your doctor about the diagnostic and treatment options best for you.

Hyperfractionization radiation therapy. This is the use of smaller doses of radiation therapy given more often.

Hormonal drugs. Research has shown a possible link between meningioma and hormone levels.

New treatments. New treatments that target the proteins that a tumor uses to grow are being studied in clinical trials. These types of treatments include the following:

• Immunotherapy boosts the body's natural defenses to fight the tumor. It uses materials made either by the body or in a laboratory to bolster, target, or restore immune system function.
• Anti-angiogenesis therapy focuses on stopping angiogenesis, which is the process of making new blood vessels. Because a tumor needs the nutrients delivered by blood vessels to grow and spread, the goal of anti-angiogenesis therapies is to starve the tumor.
• Drugs affecting other functions inside of tumor cells, including those that help tumor cells divide.
• Gene therapy seeks to correct faulty genes that are causing tumor growth.

Supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current meningioma treatments in order to improve patients' comfort and quality of life.

Learn more about common statistical terms used in cancer research.

Looking for More about Current Research?

If you would like additional information about the latest areas of research regarding brain tumors, explore these related items:

• To find clinical trials specific to your diagnosis, talk with your doctor or search online clinical trial databases now.
• Review research announced at recent scientific meetings or in ASCO's peer-reviewed journals.

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